Viral video déjà vu as taxi driver doesn’t wait for child cycling near school; Your N+1 tales — is there one bike to do it all?; Tadej Pogačar — the off-season rapper; How to carry pizza by bike + more on the live blog

42 thoughts on “Viral video déjà vu as taxi driver doesn’t wait for child cycling near school; Your N+1 tales — is there one bike to do it all?; Tadej Pogačar — the off-season rapper; How to carry pizza by bike + more on the live blog”

1. My Larry vs Harry Bullitt
   My Larry vs Harry Bullitt cargobike is way more versatile than Ridleys Grfn. It’s not what you buy, but how you ride it that matters.
   More marketing bollocks!

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2. What is doubly annoying about

   What is doubly annoying about the give way on the cycle lane is that it is not even for a road, but just access to a shop specially put there for cars.

   My local Sainsbury’s garage cones off the entrance when they have a fuel delivery. Amazed to see drivers queuing to go in, bonnet in the entrance, rear hanging over the kerbside, for who knows how long. It doesn’t occur to them that blocking the well-used pavement entirely is not just rude, anti-social but dangerous.

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   • In the previous fuel crisis

     In the previous fuel crisis before the last one, some pedestrians raised about drivers blocking footpaths and being bumper to bumper (I imagine to stop a really really small car from getting in the foot or so of space that might be there). 

     Some MP tried to put them right by stating the drop kerb is for pedestrians so the entrance is actually priority to cars. I suppose technically he was correct, however the fact that they couldn’t move forward until other cars had gone, so could leave 3foot of space for the footpath seemed to be as lost on him as it was the drivers. 

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   • But but pedestrians can move

     But but pedestrians can move out of the way round the car but you can’t block the road *!  That’s why drivers have to pull in over the pavement out of the way of other drivers.  Also presumably follow each other closely through amber / red lights at junctions – they’re just trying to help everyone get on.

     * Snark aside I believe this is still codified as the primary goal for e.g. designers, local authorities etc.  Cf. other countries where the safe movement of people is the primary aim.

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     • That traffic flow thing

       That traffic flow thing reminded me of an Ashley Neal comment, (give me a virtual minute, I can’t quite think of the context) where he was suggesting doing something to aid traffic flow, where I thought there was a conflict with flow and safety.

       I’m not sure this was it, but shows the problem of “being nice”. How often have you driven down the motorway, “making progress” at a legal speed when the car you are passing suddenly signals and pops out into the lane in front of you? You actually had a good idea it was going to happen because there was a vehicle on the slip road you are approaching and the driver has moved over for them. But the reality is that:

       a) they’ve slowed you down;

       b) they created risk by an ill-considered move.

       c) The joining car was not hindered, it may have needed to adjust speed, but that is a normal part of joining. The “cost” of joining has now been transferred to you on the main carriageway, and probably following cars, rather than the joining car.

       d) You had already assessed the slip road and recognised there was no obvious conflict that needed cooperation from drivers on the motorway.

       e) you may then see extra conflict as the joining car is then able to join a clear lane at higher speeds and gets into conflict with the “polite” driver who is not making progress, leading to undertaking or delays as the driver has to slow and either exchange places or move out two lanes to get around the “polite” driver. At worst, and I’ve had it happen to me, having completed the overtake, you move back across to the left to find that newbie has got bored and accelerated and is pulling out infront of the middle lane driver, leading to conflict where the accelerating car is in a blind spot.

       Add in a bit of being hassled by a driver trying to bully past, and all of a sudden politeness has become confusion and conflict.

       My point is that driving for flow may cause bad habits which potentially reduce flow. Rarely appropriate to effectively change priorities.

       As you suggest highways engineers are all part of the same team where the target is to move cars as efficiently as possible and cyclists and pedestrians are part of the enemy. Some of the worst problems in Solihull are major road schemes where there have been junction improvements, e.g. J4 of the M42, which historically had a footpath leading to the A34, the original builders of the junction put a footpath around the junction, which was originally 2 lane, but the pedestrian is supposed to traverse 5 lanes width without even a beg button – put they still do get tactile marked dropped kerb to do it in the face of four lanes of motorway traffic straining at the leash! The provided cycle route to avoid the junction adds 500 metres onto a 400 metre crossing, which would also require several beg buttons and dismounts to go through gates.

       https://goo.gl/maps/BJRHnq7ekND6XyQg8

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       • Slightly better the the ped

         Slightly better the the ped/shared paths on the island next to the Airport. When I was attending there for the CWG, I left twice on this route. You have to cross roads with no beg buttons or any light controls with “fast” routes for certain traffic so they don’t even need to slow down. Of course that is even if you can get to the path with the bushes in the way in certain parts.

         And if you do want to get over to the new exit and shared paths to go into Birmingham, you have to cross several other lanes including travelling 100metres down against the flow of traffic and then crossing and negotiating past a crash barrier. As shown along this path, it seems the council don’t have the resources to clean it. You then have to go down this ramp off the bridge before you get to anything reasonably maintained. 

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         • The interesting thing is that
           The interesting thing is that Solihull invested in cycle routes from Chelmsley Wood to Solihull TC as part of there regeneration attempts.

           For those who are not aware, Chelmsley Wood is poor inner city Birmingham but lumped in with wealthy Solihull for whatever reason back in the day. To give the council their credit, they try and take their responsibility to the area seriously. The obvious desire line from CW to town centre goes straight through the airport, so you are describing the issues where users may actually be cycling due to financial necessity as well as personal preference.

           Fortunately, Solihull seem to be resolving the issue by encouraging the major retailers to move out of the TC to Shirley, much further away necessitating an extra bus journey, or a longer cycle, so that would seem to have solved the desire line problem!

3. Surely the correct place to

   Surely the correct place to carry a pizza on a bike is in your stomach?

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4. Well having used a cycle lane
   Well having used a cycle lane that passed a petrol station without give ways for the cycling part and knowing friends who have been knocked off by drivers entering/exiting the petrol station.

   Arguably this is the safer approach, at least it warns you to expect whats going to happen.

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   • Awavey wrote:

     Well having used a cycle lane that passed a petrol station without give ways for the cycling part and knowing friends who have been knocked off by drivers entering/exiting the petrol station.

     Arguably this is the safer approach, at least it warns you to expect whats going to happen.

     — Awavey

     We’ve got one on the Henley Road. First and last time I used that cycle path. I use the road after a woman drove as me as I came from her left as she was pulling forward whilst fixated on her right.

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   • Awavey wrote:

     Arguably this is the safer approach, at least it warns you to expect whats going to happen.

     — Awavey

     No use having any cycling infra there then as you’d be better off on the road.
     As always the right answer is “Netherlands”.

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     • marmotte27 wrote:

       No use having any cycling infra there then as you’d be better off on the road…

       — marmotte27

       Absolutely. The version of the lane with no give-ways places cyclists in more danger because drivers ignore it and cut across it without looking, and the version of the lane with give-ways forces cyclists to stop and get back up to speed multiple times in a short space. In both cases, the easiest/saftest/best option is staying in the main carriageway.

       The only thing the local authority has done here is to create conflict, because they’ve put down unsuitable infra that cyclists aren’t going to want to use, and now you’re going to have drivers punishing (either verbally or physically) cyclists for riding next to infra that they don’t understand either inconveniences the cyclist or puts them in danger.

       See also: murder strips narrower than your handlebars that are suicide to ride in, but drivers punish you for riding next to.

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     • What people are missing in

       What people are missing in the twitter thread on the petrol station/cycle lane crossing is that its not a side road – its an access.  LTN 1/20 doesn’t cover this properly when you’ve got constraints, only side roads. You can’t really do anything here to set back or change the access geometry to slow entry (tankers still have to get in) as per LTN 1/20 so its very common that the local authority will have something in place on what to do in this situation to cover this and it’ll be along the lines of the frequency per hour of vehicles using the access, likley rate of use of the cycle lane, speed limit of road etc.  It’ll be a table that ultimately says no don’t continue the cycle lane across the access if its going to be at the expense of 20 cyclists/peds in hospital before any drivers take notice of what the arrangement is.

       I’m not agreeing or disagreeing with the design – just pointing out there’ll be factors people are unaware of while they’re pointing fingers.

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       • Ah – so it really is a case

         Ah – so it really is a case of “but we have driveways” then, not just “UK, stuff it”?

         Didn’t realise LTN1/20 has missed this.  That’s a bit poor.  I know that document is not perfect though.  Even if it wasn’t just “guidance” – albeit I think it’s now linked to local authorities getting new cycle funding?

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         • Driveways are an example of

           Driveways are an example of where you would just continue the cycle lane. its where you fall inbetween.  In the twitter example you could have continued the cycle lane, but only if you could have set it back – private land, not happening – or altered the access to make the turn at crawling pace – prob not happening due to delivery vehicles etc.

           LTN is good in a perfect world, but where it falls down is when you;re fitting new infrastructure into an existing environment as it provides little help on how to overcome the problems and constraints.  

           Everyhting you post on dutch infrastructure would solve a lot of these problems, the trouble is the hierarchy of proiority is well understood, which takes care of the safety aspect.  Over here, any local authority will be in the dock as soon as something goes wrong as they have a statutory safety responsibility. They can’t introduce a layout they think will be unsafe, even if its only at the start of its life.  Changing the highway code was the first step, now it needs enforcing to reinforce the idea as normal. tbh – unless every roundabout gets convereted to ‘dutch’ overnight and it becomes the norm and not just peicemeal infrastructure, we may as well write off this generation of drivers, and hope the next which will hopefull learn to a better standard and understand how to behave around the more vunerable.  

         • Don’t know the Dutch regs and

           Don’t know the Dutch regs and laws in any detail but I think it’s a case of “different philosophy sometimes produces radically different results”.  So less “hierarchy of priority” and more there’s a different overall goal (e.g. motor vehicle throughput is not the highest priority).  That then leads to different principles and those then guide different approaches (e.g. monofunctional streets, separate infra in many cases, making designs safe by default, self-explanatory and forgiving of human error).

           There’s an enormous job of retrofitting to do in the UK.  However just as important is to ensure that a) for new development – or even rebuilding – we apply the new standards and b) we don’t keep signing off on “things as they were”.  That’s definitely the case in Edinburgh.  Even as “good for the UK” infra is being built other development which continues to bake in the “old ways” is still being waved through.

           On the “getting there from here”: it’s not just that it’s very difficult to change from one “stable state” (e.g. UK car-first status quo) to another.  It also seems we just can’t benefit from other places who’ve already done the work and discovered “what works”.  Somehow it seems we can’t import more than a couple of new concepts at once.  Or have to “reinvent them” here, often with inferior results.  Possibly how “culture” works – it’s evolutionary e.g. change requires a series of small steps, each one has to be “self-sustaining” in some way?

         • Also – although the Dutch

           Also – although the Dutch started from a better place than the UK they also had gone down the road of mass automobility (see Rotterdam, Utrecht’s inner-city motorway which has now been completely removed etc.).  They also have “narrow streets” and “but we already built it there, there’s no space”.

           So maybe we need to go back to the Dutch archives for inspiration?  Or just look at the “second class” adaptions of Copenhagen or some places in Germany?  Or what even more recent adopters like Seville or Paris (and plenty others) have done?

         • chrisonatrike wrote:

           Don’t know the Dutch regs and laws in any detail but I think it’s a case of “different philosophy sometimes produces radically different results”.  So less “hierarchy of priority” and more there’s a different overall goal (e.g. motor vehicle throughput is not the highest priority).  That then leads to different principles and those then guide different approaches (e.g. monofunctional streets, separate infra in many cases, making designs safe by default, self-explanatory and forgiving of human error).

           — chrisonatrike

           Thats what I was meaning, you put it way more eloquently. Unfortunately, traffic throughput is a prime example of another underlying problem – politics – you change the status quo and create traffic queues over above existing and the first thing that happens is that the locals go to their councillors/mp, who then rail at the LA and then become obstructionate to anything as they want to get re-elected.

            

           Can’t disagree with anything else you;ve said there either.

     • Being a dutch cyclist, cycle
       Being a dutch cyclist, cycle to work every day, and bring my kids to school …by bike
       It is not the cycling valhalla you all think it is..
       Close passing is common, the cab situation would be seen as normal.
       No one would raise a brow on it over here..

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   • Awavey wrote:

     Well having used a cycle lane that passed a petrol station without give ways for the cycling part and knowing friends who have been knocked off by drivers entering/exiting the petrol station. Arguably this is the safer approach, at least it warns you to expect whats going to happen.

     — Awavey

     Safer would be to close the petrol station entirely.

     With a give-way sign, it seems to imply that turning drivers have priority which goes against pretty much everything in the Highway Code. It’s infrastructure designed to confuse people and make a mockery of active travel.

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   • I’m with marmotte27 here. 

     I’m with marmotte27 here.  However it’s true that in the UK we will sometimes have to busk it with what is.  Hopefully not making it a worse dog’s dinner than already…

     Let’s have a look at how this could / ought to be done.  Lots of variations.  Randomly (because hungry) picking Gouda (actually due to the excellent example shown in the post here):

     Looking a bit old-fashioned now but still “continuous cycle path”.  Not brilliant but there is only one “entrance” as this is effectively on a side street.
     https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.0224893,4.6806965,3a,75y,174.69h,67.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sQ725RX0zxc-DLtk_AYXXOg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

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     • Here’s how to do it –

       Here’s how to do it – continous cycle path, good visibility (vehicles crossing cycle track at near 90 degrees):
       https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.0184035,4.7103176,3a,75y,14.98h,75.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxJWXIBxsOSp4-gGjgpf4MA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

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       • In a “quiet area” (not quite

         In a “quiet area” (not quite sure why you’d have a petrol station here but this maybe reflects Dutch carriageways being only as large as needed?).
         https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.0066884,4.7065409,3a,75y,75.22h,84.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sNrOEHKNG0TtJZ2X2leQsMg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

          

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         • Major distributor road? 

           Major distributor road?  Should have separate cycle track anyway!  No problems at all here!  (see also the original example – suburban, on the edge of Gouda).

           In terms of traffic volume this one is maybe most like the UK case – which probably reflects the UK confusion of “types of road” which try to do too many things (it’s a place / destination, it’s a major through road, people live on it, it connects other major roads…) as opposed to the Dutch principle of monofunctional roads.  In the Dutch example (Gouda still) if it’s a really busy road it might not even have cycling infra – cycling access is catered for elsewhere (and is more direct – like shown here) so we don’t even need to worry!

           https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.022736,4.683775,3a,75y,355.41h,86.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sNaZvoQL6XFy3B-RB4xxQQA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

            

   • Why do petrol stations need

     Why do petrol stations need to be on the other side of the cycle path and pavement anyway? They’re car infrastructure. Just put occasional petrol pumps on small islands, and drivers can stop in the travel lane to refuel. Other motorists will wait patiently behind them for the few minutes this takes, and nobody else will be endangered.

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     • Like a marathon or a cycle

       Like a marathon or a cycle race – you could call them… fuel stations?  We could create extra employment and speed the process by having people just handing over a bag with a fuel can in it.  That and contactless payment and the motorists would only need to slow down, not stop!

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       • In a few years time it will

         In a few years time it will be “50KWh bag of electrons please” or stopping in the travel lane for 90 minutes for a recharge. 

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5. Re: the taxi driver footage,
   Re: the taxi driver footage, a quick correction. The video starts on Leahurst Road, which is indeed a school street, but the incident itself takes place on Eastdown Park, which is not.

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   • I think the tweet is to

     I think the tweet is to highlight two seperate wrongs, continuing oncoming when could have stopped for a second, and then carrying on forward afterwards onto a school street. I’m not sure he is stating the area it happened was a school street as he does follow it up with an additional tweet with the signage which shows where it starts.  

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     • But when the original example
       But when the original example was shared, werent we all of the opinion this is a pretty much daily occurrence for any cyclist on the road?

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     • But we don’t know that the
       But we don’t know that the cabbie carries on onto the school street, and Greg couldn’t have known when he shouted “it’s a school street” whether the cabbie was going to carry on into Leahurst Road. Most cars turn right onto Dermody Road when the school street is in operation, unsurprisingly. Please note that I am not speculating – I cycle these streets every day.

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       • For you latter query, he

         For you latter query, he might not have done although he wasn’t indicating to state he was turning either. Although all turning up Dermody does is bring you to a dead end unless they have removed the apparent LTN at the top of it. (Shown on street view Sept22 with signs and marking on road stil. Doesn’t stop the streetview car of course). 

         It does seem that when the school street is active, for an hour the other end of the road is cut off. I’m guessing that is why the two cars suddenly plonked themselves at that area making it more of an hurdle then 5 seconds before. They couldn’t work out how to legally get passed the area. 

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         • Going up Dermody is not a
           Going up Dermody is not a dead end, as you can turn off just before the camera-controlled barrier, although it will take you in a big loop as they reversed the one way system on Pascoe Road. It’s not the greatest TBH, as during operation the school street cuts off access to the Lee Green LTN from the north. And I say that as someone who doesn’t own a car!

         • My dead-end comment was more

           My dead-end comment was more that it just turns you back on yourself and doesn’t seem to allow access to the area past the school legally. So no use for anyone who would normally use the road when not a school steet, and wanting to get to the same place when it was. 

           It would be interesting if making it a school steet also does override the one-wayness of it. In theory it should, but being as they also allow access to residents and other certain vehicles at the same time, who then has “priority”?

6. Saw this on Cycling UK.  I’ve

   Saw this on Cycling UK.  I’ve never seen the simple equivalence of safe distance made before. Pretty clear message.

    

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   • Dave Walker’s cartoons are

     Dave Walker’s cartoons are generally excellent for making points about cycling very clearly and simply.

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   • That is very good. 

     That is very good. 

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7. Lots of complaints locally
   Lots of complaints locally about cycle lane blocking ambulance with zero acknowledgement of fact it was attending a incident where a driver hit a pedestrian, or the role of traffic in delays https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/23132428.concern-cycle-lanes-blocked-ambulance-attending-collision-barrow/

   Now lane is to be ‘improved’ by reinstating two lane traffic and pushing bikes on to shared used pavement
   https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/23151226.barrow-roads-see-new-cycle-lane-work-coming-weeks/

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8. Quote:

   Tim McInnes, chair of Herne Hill Velodrome Trust said: “Herne Hill Velodrome is delighted to receive this grant from the Rapha Foundation. It complements the Foundation’s first award made to us in 2019, and it will allow us to extend our cycling development activity in exciting ways including into off-road riding for the first time.”

   Surely riding on the velodrome is already off-road!

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9. With thanks to singletrack.

   With thanks to singletrack.

   Unfortunately all sold out. Who’d have thought ti top caps could be so popular.

   https://bentleycomponents.co.uk/fck-the/p/the-original-yorkshire-rose-top-cap-specials-zs5fz-7bw7t-d734k-ryr95-jk2nj-ll78h

    

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10. the taxi driver in the school

    the taxi driver in the school street – pretty normal driving for a cab driver. Strange that the dad told the child to ‘let the cars go’ when the cyclists had priority. Inexperienced cyclists – and children fall into this category – often stop and give priority to other road users, especially cars –  when they don’t have to. It’s important to teach them priority. Obviously safely.
    Observation, communication, priority, position. 

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    • I puzzled at that but I think
      I puzzled at that but I think it was because there was a queue ahead and he correctly didn’t queue across the junction. And with a small child, best to get the enemy where you can see them 😉

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